Voluntary coverage

A: Farming and ranching operations in Saskatchewan are excluded from coverage under the Act. Coverage is voluntary and requires submitting an Application for Voluntary Coverage form.

A: To apply for voluntary farm coverage, complete the Application for Voluntary Coverage form and include it with your Employer Registration Application form after the WCB receives the completed forms.

A: Once you have been accepted for WCB voluntary farm coverage, the same rules apply to you as to any employer in a mandatory coverage industry. This means all workers and contractors are covered. You must notify all workers of the effective date of workers’ compensation coverage. The same benefits and obligations as any other employer under the Act will apply. For the worker, this means earnings loss replacement and medical expenses. For the employer, this means protection against lawsuits for a workplace injury.

A: Yes. All family members except the spouse of a proprietor or a partner are considered workers and are entitled to WCB coverage if they are paid a wage. Coverage for proprietors, partners and/or their partners is voluntary. Coverage for directors who receive a T4 slip from the Canada Revenue Agency is mandatory.

A: No. Your coverage is in place until the WCB receives a written cancellation request to terminate the voluntary workers’ compensation coverage. 

The WCB can terminate coverage for non-compliance with its regulations or in the case of personal coverage, non-payment of assessment.

A: Wages are the total gross earnings before deductions. The provision of room and/or board, farm, produce or other taxable benefits must be included as wages.

A: The farmer, as the employer, pays the premiums on behalf of the workers. The first installment is generally due within 30 days of assessment and the balance is due by Sept. 1.

A: Learn current information on premium rates and how they’re set.

You can also contact employer services by email or by phoning 1.800.667.7590.

The same rate percentage will apply to all workers, the farmer, their spouse and children. For workers, premiums will be calculated based on the actual wages paid. If a farmer chooses personal coverage, the premiums will be based on the level of coverage chosen.

A: If a farm is incorporated, coverage is still optional. If an application for coverage is made, all workers are covered. Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the definition of a worker changed under The Workers' Compensation Act, 2013 and no longer includes directors receiving wages reported on a T4. As a result, directors of a corporation will no longer be considered workers and will no longer have automatic WCB coverage. Directors may be able to purchase optional personal coverage with the WCB. Learn more at wcbsask.com/optional-personal-coverage.

A: When there is an exchange of labour between farmers with coverage, both farmers’ workers are covered. Coverage for the farmers and/or spouses is dependent on whether personal coverage has been elected, or if wages are paid to a director.

When there is an exchange of labour between a farmer with voluntary coverage and another farmer without coverage, the worker of the farmer without coverage is deemed to be a worker of the farmer with coverage. Neither farmer is covered unless personal coverage has been chosen, or the farmer is a director on wages.

Where the farmer who has coverage exchanges labour with a farmer who does not have coverage, the farmer with coverage and all his workers continue to be covered.

A: To cancel your voluntary coverage, you need to submit your request in writing. Email your cancellation request to employerservices@wcbsask.com or mailed to:

Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board
Attention: Employer services
200-1881 Scarth St.
Regina, SK S4P 4L1

Your coverage will be cancelled effective the date the WCB receives your written request.

A: Saskatchewan homeowners who employ individuals who perform domestic duties, construction, alterations or improvements in their primary residence are excluded from coverage under the Act. Coverage is voluntary and requires submitting an Application for Voluntary Coverage form.

A: To apply for voluntary homeowner coverage, complete the Application for Voluntary Coverage form and include it with your Employer Registration Application form after the WCB receives the completed forms.

A: Once you have been accepted for WCB voluntary homeowner coverage, the same rules apply to you as to any employer in a mandatory coverage industry. This means all workers and contractors are covered. You must notify all workers of the effective date of workers’ compensation coverage. The same benefits and obligations as any other employer under the Act will apply. For the worker, this means earnings loss replacement and medical expenses. For the employer, this means protection against lawsuits for a workplace injury.

A: Yes. All family members except the spouse of a proprietor or a partner are considered workers and are entitled to WCB coverage if they are paid a wage. Coverage for proprietors, partners and/or their partners is voluntary. Coverage for directors who receive a T4 slip from the Canada Revenue Agency is mandatory.

A: Residents of Saskatchewan that own rental property who hire individuals that perform construction, alterations or improvements to such properties are not excluded from the Act and registration is required.

A: No. Your coverage is in place until the WCB receives a written cancellation request to terminate the voluntary workers’ compensation coverage. 

The WCB can terminate coverage for non-compliance with its regulations or in the case of personal coverage, non-payment of assessment.

A: Wages are the total gross earnings before deductions. The provision of room and/or board, farm, produce or other taxable benefits must be included as wages.

A: The homeowner, as the employer, pays the premiums on behalf of the workers. The first installment is generally due within 30 days of assessment and the balance is due by Sept. 1.

A: Learn current information on premium rates and how they’re set.

You can also contact employer services by email or by phoning 1.800.667.7590.

The same rate percentage will apply to all workers. For workers, premiums will be calculated based on the actual wages paid. If a homeowner chooses personal coverage, the premiums will be based on the level of coverage chosen.

A: You must report injuries to the WCB within five days of learning about the injury. Use the Employer’s Report of Injury (E1) form. Your worker must also report the injury using a Worker’s Report of Injury (W1) form.

A: To cancel your voluntary coverage, you need to submit your request in writing. Email your cancellation request to employerservices@wcbsask.com or mailed to:

Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board
Attention: Employer services
200-1881 Scarth St.
Regina, SK S4P 4L1

Your coverage will be cancelled effective the date the WCB receives your written request.